Matthew 25:34

The identification of the King with the Son of Man (Matthew 25:31) recalls Daniel 7:13-14 where the Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days (God the Father) to receive a kingdom. The purpose of Jesus separating humanity into two groups at the beginning of the kingdom is to determine whom He will admit to the kingdom and whom He will exclude (cf. Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:46). The Father blesses (Gr. eulogemenoi, cf. Matthew 21:9; Matthew 23:39) some by allowing them to enter the kingdom. They now enter into their inheritance, a term that presupposes relationship with the Father. The inheritance involves the blessings God will give them in the kingdom that will vary depending on their service during the Tribulation (cf. Matthew 25:14-23; Matthew 25:28-29).

Jesus’ description of the kingdom as what God had prepared from the foundation of the world is significant. The rule of Messiah on the earth over all humankind has been part of God’s plan since creation. This shows its central place in God’s program for humanity. Its establishment will be the fulfillment of many promises and covenants that God gave to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15), to Abraham (Genesis 12; Genesis 15; Genesis 17; Genesis 21), to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and to the nation of Israel (Ezekiel 34:20-31; Jeremiah 31:31-40; Zechariah 10:5-12). [Note: Peters, 2:375.]